Chapter 36  : Chapter 036: Peerless Empress

Duan Qing and Luo Yan’s words were firm and emphatic, as if they wished to nail their determination to take in Yang Zhen on the spot, like spitting out a nail.

Although the others were also interested in Yang Zhen, since the two Great Sects of Dan Valley Lake and Wuyue Sect had already spoken, they naturally went along with the flow.

Next to them, a short and elderly man turned pale with anger. Even though Donglin Sect was one of the five major sects of the Nether Sun Country, like Dan Valley Lake and Wuyue Sect, they could not afford to offend both major sects at once.

Moreover, Donglin Sect was at odds with Turtle Serpent Island over the Tri-Country Trial that was to occur in a month. If at this point he aggravated Dan Valley Lake and Wuyue Sect over Zhang Zongjin’s matter, even if killing Yang Zhen gave him some satisfaction, he would inevitably face punishment once he returned to the sect.

As a result, the little old man’s face worsened, a hint of darkness flickering in his eyes as he glared at Yang Zhen.

An elderly woman standing next to the three of them slowly said: “Both of you, it’s ultimately up to Yang Zhen to decide which sect he desires to join. Instead of arguing about it here, why not wait for him to ask.”

Upon hearing this, Duan Qing and Luo Yan glanced at the old woman, asking, “Could it be that Elder Gu is interested in Yang Zhen as well?”

The old woman laughed and said, “It’s not me who is interested in him, but our Turtle Serpent Island.”

“Turtle Serpent Island is most proficient at array formations, and there are not many young people interested in it these days. Are you sure you want to get into a dispute with us?” Duan Qing asked, smiling.

Luo Yan too leisurely said, “That’s right. Yang Zhen is extremely talented. He might just be another Lin Tianqi. Are you sure Turtle Serpent Island can control such a person?”

Hearing the name “Lin Tianqi”, Elder Gu’s face slightly changed. With a sneer, she said, “Lin Tianqi was a rare genius, highly talented in both cultivation and arrays. Since he was noticed and accepted as a disciple by that being, we at Turtle Serpent Island naturally won’t interfere.”

Duan Qing and Luo Yan looked at each other. Seeing that Elder Gu had brought up ‘that being,’ they immediately fell silent.

‘That being’ was an existence ranked above the five nations, not something they could easily provoke.

Everyone looked at Yang Zhen with strange, thoughtful expressions.

“Humph! I see the lad is flirting with Light Whisper. Perhaps he can accomplish something good. Old hag, what are you fighting me with?”

Duan Qing yelped, pointing at Luo Yan and saying, “Shameless old man, you even brought up little Su Light Whisper. Is this all your Dan Valley Lake is capable of? You’re pathetic. Haven’t you seen that lad also being incredibly attentive to Princess Changyang? What am I fighting with you for? A princess, how about that?”

“Old fool, are you serious?”

“Old fellow, what if I’m serious?”

Everyone:

The Donglin Sect elder wore a look of bewilderment and rage yet was helpless.

“Up next, the five Great Sects may select some outstanding disciples in the Nether State Convention and Trial. Young Master Yang, have you… considered which sect you’d like to join?” Su Light Whisper gingerly asked, curiously looking at Yang Zhen.

As soon as the words left her mouth, the gazes of Princess Changyang and the others instantly fell on Yang Zhen.

Even Fang Shenhe eagerly looked at Yang Zhen and said, “Brother Yang, why not consider joining us at Turtle Serpent Island? With your prowess in array formations… um…”

Midway through his sentence, Fang Shenhe suddenly felt two icy stares directed at him. He quivered, looking at Princess Changyang and Su Light Whisper with embarrassment.

Both women merely glanced at Fang Shenhe before refocusing their attention on Yang Zhen.

Now, everyone else’s gazes, filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred, turned fervent as they looked at Yang Zhen.

Looking at this, Princess Changyang and Su Light Whisper seemed to be competing.

For Yang Zhen to cause such rivalry between two extraordinary beauties, it was a blessing he must have built up in his previous eight lifetimes. However, the crowd now couldn’t help but gloat over his predicament. Whether Yang Zhen joined Wuyue Sect or Dan Valley Lake, he would inevitably offend the other woman.

The prospect of Yang Zhen offending a famed beauty, their excitement to witness his downfall escalated.

“Why should I join a Great Sect?” Yang Zhen asked, looking perplexed.

What?

Why should he join a Great Sect?

Everyone looked at Yang Zhen, dumbfounded, wondering if they’d heard him correctly.

Was there even a need to ask why join a Great Sect? Better cultivation conditions, more cultivation resources, stronger cultivation methods and martial skills, and powerful masters. Most importantly, the Sect could provide the strongest backing in a time of crisis.

With all these advantages, who wouldn’t strive to be accepted as a disciple by a Great Sect?

How could Yang Zhen ask such an idiotic question?

Princess Changyang and Su Light Whisper were also looking at Yang Zhen, wearing strange expressions. Especially Princess Changyang, who watched Yang Zhen with interest: “There’re things that one person alone cannot accomplish. While you may acquire your Cultivation Method and Martial Skills through serendipity, the insights on cultivation from a master are priceless. And when it comes to revenge killing, a Great Sect can provide you with the most powerful support.”

Su Light Whisper nodded and added with a smile, “For the Tri-Country Trial a month later, you must either be a disciple of a Great Sect or a guest official of Changyue Tower to have the qualification to participate. That’s another advantage of joining a Great Sect.”

Yang Zhen was taken aback, “I can’t participate in the Tri-Country Trial without a Great Sect disciple status? What’s Changyue Tower? Is it also a Great Sect?”

Princess Changyang explained, “The Tri-Country Trial is a joint endeavor organized by the Nether Sun Country, Water Spirit Country, and Dajiang Country. Those who perform well could gain countless benefits from it. They might even be personally received by the Queen of the Water Spirit Country.” “The Queen of Water Spirit Country?” Yang Zhen exclaimed, “The one who cultivated a Water Spirit Nascent Soul and became a Nascent Soul Stage Expert in her twenties?”

“Precisely. Nowadays, she has entered the Void Cultivation Stage and is one of the few Void Cultivation Stage Experts on the Nether State continent,” said Princess Changyang with admiration.

Yang Zhen dismissed the idea with a curl of his lips. He wasn’t particularly interested whether it was a queen or not. However, the requirement of being a Great Sect disciple to participate in the Tri-Country Trials was slightly inconvenient.

He didn’t want to join any Great Sects and have his actions constrained. However, refusing all the major sects that were eagerly eyeing him was going to be a hassle.

Looking at the lot of old codgers on the mountain, Yang Zhen decided to come up with a huge lie to make them realize that he could participate in the Tri-Country Trial without joining a Great Sect.

In Yang Zhen’s view, these so-called rules were meant to be broken. Otherwise, how was life any different from that of a salted fish?

But to successfully deceive these old foxes, he needed to prepare some props.

“Princess, Miss Light Whisper, I still have some mates to look for, so I’m not heading over with you yet. You go ahead. I’ll follow shortly,” he said.

With that, against all protests, Yang Zhen walked in the opposite direction of the Enlightenment monument.

At the top of the mountain, the crowd exchanged glances.

That guy Yang Zhen, did he seriously just up and leave?